The streets of Belgrade erupted on Saturday as tens of thousands gathered for a powerful anti-government rally, facing off against riot police and supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The demonstration, fueled by months of outrage over corruption, marked a dramatic escalation in a movement sparked by the tragic collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad last November, which claimed 15 lives.
A City on Edge
Central Belgrade became a tense battleground as police rolled out hundreds of officers in riot gear around Pionirski Park, where Vucic loyalists have been encamped all week, surrounded by a fortress of parked tractors. Just across the street, a striking coalition of maroon-beret-clad military veterans and bikers—revving their engines in solidarity with the protesters—lined the planned march route from the national parliament to Slavija Square, set to kick off at 4 p.m. local time (1500 GMT).
Students, at the heart of this uprising, took no chances. Hundreds of their own security volunteers, donning bright yellow vests, formed a human buffer between the crowds and law enforcement, signaling their commitment to keeping the peace. The protests, which began in December, have swelled into a national cry for accountability, pulling in teachers, farmers, workers, and everyday citizens fed up with Vucic’s 12-year reign as either prime minister or president.
A Movement Born from Tragedy
The spark came on November 1, 2024, when a newly renovated canopy at Novi Sad’s railway station caved in, killing 15 people. Many blame the disaster on shoddy work tied to government corruption—a charge that’s turned mourning into fury. Since December, students have led near-daily demonstrations, demanding transparency about the collapse and justice for those responsible. On Friday, thousands trekked into Belgrade—some walking or biking hundreds of miles—setting the stage for today’s massive turnout.
The atmosphere wasn’t all grim. Despite overnight clashes, Saturday’s vibe was electric, almost celebratory. Locals lined the streets with propane heaters, dishing out hot meals, while grandmothers handed out fresh cookies and pies to fuel the young demonstrators. “We’re not here for violence,” the students declared on Instagram, shifting their rally stage from the parliament plateau to Slavija Square, a kilometer away, to avoid provoking confrontations with state buildings.
Violence in the Shadows
The buildup wasn’t without incident. Overnight, tensions flared with sporadic attacks. In the Zarkovo suburb, a car plowed into protesters, injuring three before police nabbed the driver. In central Belgrade, a student and a lecturer were hurt in a pre-dawn assault by a group of men. And near Pionirski Park, three were detained after targeting the pro-Vucic tractor barricade. Yet, these skirmishes only seemed to steel the resolve of the crowd pouring into the capital.
Vucic’s Response—and the Stakes
President Vucic, facing the biggest challenge of his tenure, has walked a tightrope. On Friday, he urged police to hold back but promised swift arrests for any “troublemakers.” He’s pegged the expected crowd at 60,000 to 80,000, though organizers insist the numbers will dwarf that estimate. The government’s made moves to calm the storm—13 people, including officials, face charges over the Novi Sad collapse, and an anti-corruption push is underway. Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and two ministers have stepped down, but for many, it’s too little, too late.
What’s Next?
This rally isn’t just a protest—it’s a test of wills. The students’ demands are clear: full disclosure on the railway disaster and real accountability, not just scapegoats. With Serbia’s youth leading the charge and support swelling across society, Vucic’s grip on power looks shakier than ever. As the march from parliament to Slavija Square unfolds, all eyes are on Belgrade, where a jubilant crowd is betting on change—and daring the state to stop them.
